The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: This study examines the impact of a tobacco-free policy upon discharge status at a women's treatment facility in rural Ohio. Tobacco use among persons addicted to alcohol and other drugs is estimated at 75 to 85 percent. The chemical dependency field has been slow to treat tobacco dependence, often discouraging clients from quitting. Hesitation to treat nicotine dependence in conjunction with the treatment of alcohol and other drugs is steeped in myth and dogma. Common barriers are found in the adoption of tobacco treatment interventions (TTI) in substance abuse treatment on three levels: (1) the clinician level (2) the organizational level, and (3) the environmental level often working in combination.

Methods:

Data taken 18 months prior to implementation, and 18 months post, are examined to determine the impact of this policy change on client discharge patterns. Demographic data and service-level data are analyzed.

Results:

Preliminary results demonstrate an increase in voluntary and administrative discharge rates for both smokers and non-smokers post- implementation, and a decrease in program completion rates for both smokers and non-smokers. These results suggest that the rate changes were not based on the tobacco-free policy, but rather a repercussion of policy change in-and-of-itself. This facility was the first alcohol and drug treatment center to treat tobacco dependence in Ohio and has since been modeled by other programs across the state.